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February 2015

In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, NOAA and Gloucester fishermen reached an agreement on the cod bargain deal; NEFMC submitted Framework Adjustment 53 to NOAA Fisheries; the nation’s fisheries scientists convened to discuss climate and ecosystem-based issues; it was another year of historic landings and value for Maine lobster; ocean acidification threatens coastal fisheries and communities; Sustaining Massachusetts Fisheries Summit will take place on March 2; Maine will begin closing scallop areas; and NOAA Fisheries will review sea scallop survey methods. … More Info »

In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, NOAA Fisheries may reconsider the cod bargain deal; GMRI wants college students to know their seafood source; Portland’s frozen harbor creates a challenge for fishing vessels; harsh winter weather is hard on Maine clam diggers; demand is up for Maine lobster during Chinese New Year; federal fishery disaster aid will be distributed next month; prices are high for “sample” shrimp; and feds proposed expanded critical habitat for endangered right whales. … More Info »

In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, Boston is running out of room for snow; New England fishing communities are feeling the effects of climate change; Boston Globe asks if we should eat green crabs; Maine’s scallop industry improves with new management system; Connecticut governor supports mapping Long Island Sound; environmental groups go to court to protect blueback herring; Maine suspended 2015 elver licenses to prevent overfishing; fishery managers are at a crossroads with menhaden; a new program will provide more data on the closed northern shrimp fishery; ASMFC is considering amendments to the northern shrimp fishery management plan; MAFMC did not deep-sea coral protection established yet; mussels and oysters have low levels of disease and parasites; and blue crabs are moving north. … More Info »

While there’s been progress to improve habitat in rivers, the threat in the oceans remains. That’s why our friends at Earthjustice, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and a coalition of grass-roots fishing and watershed groups filed a complaint in U.S. District Court on Feb. 10, seeking to reverse a federal government decision not to put blueback herring on the nation’s list of threatened species. … More Info »

In this week’s Fish Talk in the News, NEFMC released public hearing and comment summary documents for the OHA2 DEIS; Maine lawmakers proposed a $3 million bond for researching ocean acidification effects on shellfish; a New Hampshire bill looks to protect local fishermen; Baker administration announces new head of state Fish and Game; Maine DMR is proposing reallocating tribes’ elver quota; Maine manufacturers and environmentalists support a bill to ban microbeads; Red’s Best sustainable seafood will keep the fishing industry afloat; regional fishery management council leaders will meet in DC; ASMFC winter meeting was this week; GARFO released its final five-year strategic plan; the Northeast Regional Planning Body released its monthly update; and USDA is considering new guidelines for organic fish. … More Info »

In early January 2015, Massachusetts issued the 2015 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Major highlights of the revised plan include updates to the plan’s science and data foundation, identification of preliminary offshore renewable energy transmission corridors, establishment of standards for offshore sand and gravel extraction for beach renourishment, and a schedule for ocean development mitigation fees. … More Info »